Erdogan: West supports Israeli plans to attack Lebanon and wants war in the entire region

(Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Western powers on Wednesday of supporting what he called Israel's plans to attack Lebanon and "spread war" throughout the region, AFP reported.

"Israel is now targeting Lebanon, and we see that Western powers are patting Israel on the back behind the scenes and even supporting it," he told lawmakers from his ruling AKP party.

"Netanyahu's plans to expand the war to the region will lead to a great catastrophe," Erdogan said.

"It is pathetic that countries that talk about freedom, human rights, and justice are prisoners of a mentally ill person like Netanyahu," he added.

Erdogan's remarks came after concerns grew over escalating threats and ongoing cross-border fire between Israeli forces and Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah, fueling fears of a full-scale war.

Last week, Israel said its plans for an offensive in Lebanon had been "approved and confirmed".

The Turkish leader's remarks followed two days after Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned Greece and Cyprus against getting involved in the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Speaking to Haberturk TV late on Monday, Fidan stated that there had been "serious militarization in southern Cyprus" which was being used as a base for "intelligence and military flights" towards Gaza, citing intelligence reports.

Turkey had warned them not to interfere in the conflict, he said.

"When you get involved in the ongoing wars in the Middle East, when you take sides, this fire will come and find you too," he said.

Last week, Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah warned Cyprus against opening its airports and bases to Israel "to target Lebanon," saying it would face retaliation.

The Cypriot government in Nicosia quickly denied any involvement in Israel's war in Gaza and said it would "not get involved in any military conflicts".